Pine Ridge Prep Update

Pine Ridge Prep's Weekly Family Newsletter

In-Person Enrollment

In-person enrollment is THIS WEEK! If you have already registered, there is NO NEED for you to attend the in-person enrollment. If you have not yet registered and would like to come to the school to do so, we will be available this Thursday, July 20 from 8:00-5:00 and would be happy to assist you! Families can enroll for the 2023-2024 school year online anytime by visiting the registration page at topekapublicschools.net. Families in need of enrollment assistance may contact our IT Department at sishelp@tps501.org or 785-438-4750.
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Welcome from Mrs. Tanner

Dear Pine Ridge Prep Families,


Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! I am so excited to welcome all of our new and returning Pine Ridge Prep Wolves!


I am privileged to be beginning my fourth year as principal at Pine Ridge Prep Preschool and Sheldon Head Start. Here at Pine Ridge Prep we are blessed with the best ~ the most passionate and dedicated teaching staff, incredible students, and rock star families! Working together, we will set the tone for your child's continued academic success!


Once school starts, you will receive a weekly newsletter from me highlighting all upcoming dates and events. The weekly newsletter will also include reminders and important information. Please make sure to read the newsletter each week so you stay informed! This is the number one way I communicate with all families. This newsletter will be sent via email, text, and posted on our Pine Ridge Prep Facebook page. Speaking of, haven't followed us yet on social media? Please do! We love to share pictures of all the fun we are having!


This edition of the newsletter contains important information you need to know leading up to the first day of school. I hope this newsletter helps answer many of your questions.


If you have further questions after reading, please do not hesitate to reach out!


Thank you for the privilege of serving you ~

Mrs. Gabrielle Tanner, Principal

Introducing Mrs. Kim Meyers-Lopez

My name is Kim Meyers-Lopez and it is my pleasure to serve as the Building Leader Intern at Pine Ridge Prep! I am excited to be a part of the Pine Ridge Community to continue and grow our partnerships with the community. I have spent my teaching career in early childhood and early childhood special education and look forward to serving you and your family.


I have a Bachelor of Agriculture from Kansas State University in Conservation - Parks and Recreation and a Secondary Degree in Natural Resources. My specialization was Interpretation. This is a non-traditional teaching position in State and National Parks. My love of teaching led me to earn a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Unified from Fort Hays State University and an ESOL endorsement. I also hold a Master’s of Science from Emporia State University in Educational Administration.


Personally I live with my husband and two children. My son is very active in hockey and my daughter plays soccer. Our family loves sports and we spend a lot of time at the rink or the pitch. I love nature and spending time outdoors. I enjoy hiking, bird watching and spending time at the lake.


Thank you for the opportunity to serve and collaborate with the Pine Ridge community!

~Mrs. Kim Meyers-Lopez, Building Leader Intern

TPS 2023-2024 Academic Calendar

Pine Ridge Prep follows the Topeka Public Schools Academic Calendar. The only exception is a later start date. The first day of school for Pine Ridge Prep students is Thursday, August 17th.

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School Day Hours

Monday through Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Arrival begins: 8:30 a.m.

Arrival ends: 8:45 a.m. (students will be considered tardy after 8:45 a.m.)

Dismissal begins: 3:30 p.m.

Dismissal ends: 3:45 p.m. (all students must be picked up by 3:45 p.m.)


Late Start Fridays (every Friday): 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Arrival begins: 9:30 a.m.

Arrival ends: 9:45 a.m. (students will be considered tardy after 9:45 a.m.)

Dismissal begins: 3:30 p.m.

Dismissal ends: 3:45 p.m. (all students must be picked up by 3:45 p.m.)


Before the first day of school, you will receive a newsletter that explains the arrival and dismissal procedures.

Class Lists & Home Visits

Class lists will be finalized by Monday, August 7th.


You will find out your child's teacher that week when your child's teacher reaches out to you and schedules a home visit to occur before the first day of school. At Pine Ridge Prep, we complete a home visit before school starts so your child can meet his or her teacher team in a familiar environment. This allows the staff to learn about your child and begin building a relationship in a setting that your child is comfortable with. We love meeting students at the home visit because then the child has already met the teachers. This results in a much smoother "Meet the Teacher Night" and "First Day of School."


We look forward to setting up home visits with each family.

Meet the Teacher Night

Families should plan to attend "Meet the Teacher Night" on Wednesday, August 16th. This event is from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and is a come and go event. Bring your child, see your child's classroom and school.

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School Supplies

At Pine Ridge Prep, we provide all school supplies. The only items we ask your child bring are two sets of weather appropriate clothes (socks, underwear, bottom, top) in case of an accident or getting messy throughout the day. Additionally, while a backpack is not required, most students do bring one. If you need assistance with providing a backpack for your student, please reach out!

Required Preschool Enrollment Documents

Thank you to the families who have delivered, sent or uploaded the required preschool documents!


If you have not done so, please submit your child's:

  • birth certificate
  • immunization records
  • your W2 forms or 1040 (first page of taxes)


The above documents can be submitted by uploading them into Synergy, scanning and emailing them to klopez@tps501.org, or delivering them to the Pine Ridge Prep office.


We must have the required documents before the first day of school.

Required Child Nutrition Form

The child nutrition form is a required form that all enrolled families need to complete. The district was awarded a grant that results in all students in Topeka Public Schools receiving free meals this school year. By filling out this form, you will NOT be charged any amount for meals this school year. This form benefits the TPS district because it helps us receive funding for many programs and technology to ensure student success. Please take time NOW to complete the form.


This form is for your whole family, so if you have multiple children at several schools, you only have to complete one form.


Topeka Public Schools Homepage

Click on "Free/Reduced Meal Application." This will take you to a Horizon Software page that indicates Topeka Public USD #501 at the top. Read through the "Welcome" page and click on "Start Application" at the bottom.

Follow Pine Ridge Prep on Facebook

Our Pine Ridge Prep Facebook page is active! We use this as a way to communicate with families and share many pictures. Please follow the page to stay updated!


https://www.facebook.com/PineRidgePrep/

Attendance Policy

It is important that your child attend school each day to have a consistent educational program. Of course, illness or other family emergencies can cause absences. If your child will be absent please let us know by contacting the office at 785-329-7870.


The Topeka Public School Procedures are as follows:

  1. Absences are excused for student illness or family emergencies. If your child is going to be absent, you should call the office before 9:30 a.m. It is each parent’s responsibility to be sure the office has been notified of the reason for absence. Advanced notice is appreciated.
  2. A phone call attempt will be made on every child that does not arrive at school by 9:30am.
  3. After 2 days of unexcused absences, staff will conduct a home visit or make other direct contact with child’s family, determine what assistance is needed to remedy the problem.
  4. Unexcused absences can result in a truancy report being filed.
  5. Each absence after 10 excused absences may result in the need for a doctor’s release note to be considered an excused absence.
  6. Although Kansas law does not require students to be in school prior to the age of 7, ANY child enrolled in public school does fall into the state truancy policies. Truancy reports will be made to the district truancy officer for any student with excessive absences and/or tardies.
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Pine Ridge Prep PTO

The Pine Ridge Prep Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is looking for family members to serve on PTO. More details to come!


If you are interested in being a part of Pine Ridge Prep's PTO, please reach out to Mrs. Meyers-Lopez at klopez@tps501.org.


Thank you for your consideration!

Community Resources

Topeka Resources Checklist

Take a look at the Topeka Resources Checklist. This is very helpful for planning! This is a list of possible resources to help you stretch your dollars and avoid economic emergencies. Place a check beside the ones you are using or have used.
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Community Resources Council Directory

You can find the link to the 2021 Community Resources Council Resource Directory here. This directory provides contact information for a variety of community resources.


If in need of resources, you can also contact the United Way by dialing 211.

Food Pantry Lists

See the following links for Food Pantry resources available to families.

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